Boy Abunda — bigger and brighter than his outfits

THIS columnist had been praying his TMT opinion piece every Tuesday would fall right on this day being the birthday of a well-loved, revered entertainment personality we all lovingly address as Kuya Boy (Abunda).

The last time my Vignettes column fell on a Tuesday — coinciding with his birthday–was on October 29, 2019.

All this time though — whether advanced or belated — it has been my “self-imposed” tradition that failure to send Kuya Boy even the simplest birthday thought is a big no-no.

Busy with other more important concerns, expect either a text reply or a phone call, or both, after a day or two from the King of Talk, suffused with never-ending gratitude, as usual.

His birthdays are oftentimes, if not always, spent outside the country taking his well-deserved respite with his long-time partner Bong Quintana.

His travels abroad are not without his most trusted staff who likewise gets to experience anything but luxury: from business class flights to hotel accommodations to shopping binges.

But the way Kuya Boy treats, or pampers, his staff which he calls family, is only a sneak peek into the persona that he actually is. There awaits much more than one can ever imagine.

Let me just go back in time.

It was in October 1995 (days before his birthday) when Kuya Boy and I were destined to work together. I knew he was the moving force of Backroom, Inc., but hardly was there any chance that I got invited to its events to promote anyone on his roster of artists.

There were times though I got to watch one or two shows of Backroom’s headliners. At the venue, I’d spot Kuya Boy — already a scene-stealing, jaw-dropping sartorial sight to behold — shimmying around as if it were a ramp.

From then on, his outfits had gone fiercer, if more outlandish — even defying weather conditions.

I guess, aside from his guest on his daily “Fast Talk” program on GMA, it’s Kuya Boy’s OOTD that piques every gossipy viewer’s interest.

Back in “Startalk,” one of the three main hosts was consistent with his manner of dressing.

I remember him jokingly tell me: “My outfits are even pricier than those worn by the stars.”

At one point, I thought Kuya Boy was the type who never put on the same apparel he already wore. All I knew “he had a lot too many” that one weekend before Startalk went on air, his assistant was hauling in hangers after hangers of his signature clothes to the studio’s dressing room.

It turned out that he willingly gave those sets away to a co-worker (on which occasion to wear no one knew): “There, as promised!” Kuya Boy told the lucky smoocher-recipient during the turnover of sorts.

Soon enough, Kuya Boy had to leave Startalk in favor of a much bigger, handsomer offer from ABS-CBN.

He said yes to it — on one condition — as long as his new weekly show would air on a different day: “I wouldn’t have the heart to rival Startalk!”

It’s been years since Startalk and Kuya Boy’s affiliation with ABS-CBN had ceased to exist. Yet the circle of friends Kuya Boy had made back in GMA is the same set of people (some of them part of Fast Talk) he regards with a deep sense of love and respect.

To the man who deserves as much love and respect — plus tons of signature outfits — a blissful, blessed and bloated birthday!